In the last couple of days (recently laid off so I have lots of Free time) I have read a couple of books about the Duchess, and more than one mentioned that particular tidbit. In the paperback verision of The Duchess of Windsor: The Secret Life by Charles Higham it is on page 463. Also, The Duchess of Winsor: the Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson by Greg King on page 494. As one of the Duchess's friends commented, it was the most impersonal funeral she had ever been to.

But back on topic, Is there a book on the Duchess of Windsor's jewels? Other than the old Sotheby catalog?

In the Point de Vue issue dedicated to The Duchess on May 7 1986 she is seen in the cover photo by Karsh of Ottawa in a Norman Norell dress and the jewelry of Kenneth Jay Lane[earrings and necklace in gold].Apparently the Duchesss had an extensive collection of KJL pieces along with her real gems.
Does anybody know if those went up for auction as well in/87?

I read the book 'The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor' - I'm not sure if that's the Sotheby's catalogue. It was broken down into three parts - the story of the auction, the biography of The Windsors, and the items themselves. Most of her jewels were not my taste/liking.

I read the book 'The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor' - I'm not sure if that's the Sotheby's catalogue. It was broken down into three parts - the story of the auction, the biography of The Windsors, and the items themselves. Most of her jewels were not my taste/liking.

It's not the same as the catalogue, which was exactly and only that - it listed and illustrated the lots, by number, with some provenance about the pieces.

Yesterday I read on a site that Queen Mary sent at some point in the 50's a pearl necklace to her son David ( Edward VIII) as a sign of " reconciliation" with Wallis, the way she gave jewels as gifts to her other daughters in law. It seems quite unlike her in my eyes ( I can't believe she would ever forgive her son for abdicating) ,so I don't know if it's accurate. Has anyone heard about this?

I hadn't known about that story either. I'm inclined to think that the Duke inherited the pearls from his mother. I can't believe that the Queen would want to reconcile with the woman responsible for her son abdicating. If Her Majesty had truly wanted to make piece, she had plenty of years in which to do so and it didn't happen so it seems. From articles I've read about the Duke and Duchess they were bitter towards even Queen Mary as well as naturally his brother, the King and the Queen Consort.

The pearl necklace with the diamond clasp was given to The Duke in 1951 when he visited his mother. It was Queen Mary's way of acknowledging his wife, even though she refused to receive her.

It was the only piece Wallis received from the royal family. The rest of her jewels were acquired, although some pieces did use gems given to The Duke by the Indian Raj during his tours of the Empire as Prince of Wales.